CC Racing AFFC Eastern Creek race notes

Improving Cathcart tackles the Creek

5 May, 2003 - After a disappointing start to the Ford Racing Australian Formula Ford Championship Clint Cathcart focused last weekend on his second career Formula Ford start at Sydney's Eastern Creek Raceway.

With the Ford KartStars graduate never visiting the circuit before he was fully aware that the main aim of the weekend would be to complete as many practice, qualifying and most importantly racing laps as possible were achieved.

During qualifying Cathcart continued to learn the tricky Eastern Creek layout but was troubled by a sticking throttle which hampered his performance.

Following the two qualifying sessions the Ford Racing KartStars graduate finished just outside the top 20 qualifiers.

"I was a little disappointed with my qualifying effort but considering the minor mechanical gremlins I was at least happy to get some laps under my belt," Cathcart commented after qualifying.

In the early laps of the opening race the 24-year-old made up several positions to be just inside the top 20 by mid race.

He maintained this position for the remainder of the 9-lap event to cross the line in 20th position.

Beginning to feel more comfortable in the car with every lap he completed Cathcart again made several positions in the opening few laps of the second race.

In the fading light Cathcart had manoeuvred his way well inside the top 20 before he ran wide on lap 5 losing time in the process.

With the conditions rapidly becoming undriveable in Cathcart drove conservatively to get to the chequered flag with the Spectrum in one piece.

"After I ran wide and I could only really determine how far the guy in front of me was by his shift light I thought it was better off driving conservatively rather than risking any damage to the car," said Cathcart following the race.

"I am really starting to feel comfortable on the car and looking forward to the next round at Winton because I have done several test days there and know the track pretty well."

Clint Cathcart will next be in action when the Ford Racing Formula Ford Championship heads to Winton Motor Raceway on May 23-25.

Winton Motor Raceway is located 10km North of Benalla in Victoria and approximately 190km North of Melbourne.

-ccr-